The doors opened, revealing a mystical sight that Ning Shan had never once witnessed. At least, that was what he foolishly expected, yet he was sadly disappointed by the grim reality.

  The streets of the ninth level weren’t unlike those of the cities of his previous world, except that the populace was scarce, and those he could see weren’t what he was expecting.

  From the corner of distant alleys, Ning Shan noticed ladies with barely a cloth on their shoulders, beckoning patrons with too heavy a wallet in the hopes of lightening their loads. The only disparity with the youths of the red light districts he knew of were the various mechanical enhancements that were evidently apparent, whether the ladies of ill-repute or their customers. Few seemed to possess all the original flesh of their bodies, yet none seemed concerned. In fact, they seemed to even take pride in that fact.

  From other corners, hidden within the darkness yet also barely visible, merchants offered their illicit wares to the delight of their clientele. What surprised Ning Shan was the diversity of their clothing. Some wore vestments worthy of their stature, while others sported mere rags no better than Ning Shan's current battered clothing. It seemed these wares were in high demand throughout all walks of life.

  Speaking of which, Ning Shan's bloody clothes attracted the attention of the audience, their gazes turning his way as they strolled down the main street toward a small plaza suspended mid-air over the void. As for how the ground under his feet remained in place despite the lack of structural support, Ning Shan couldn't hazard a guess. All he could do was trust that it was so and would remain.

  “First thing first, we should get you out of those clothes,” Marquez said, frowning slightly at the unwanted attention.

  Indeed. Even despite their battered state, Ning Shan's long robes were an oddity among the populace, as most men wore simple shirts and pants for ease of movement alongside leather jackets, only to hide their slim weapons beneath. In fact, Ning Shan remarked that only a few seemed to be unarmed, only those who could not afford them.

  “Is this the norm?" Ning Shan asked, his gaze fixed on a large man openly carrying a massive rifle on his shoulder. He strolled through the streets without a care in the world while all others offered him a wide birth, a slight trace of fear on their faces.

  “This level may seem lawless, but it's much better than the depths," Marquez replied, yet didn't offer much reaction as the man passed them by. "Levels six through ten belong to the Guild, as this is also where the entrance to the Shaft is located. As such, many hunters make these levels their home base. You should get used to it, as this also will become home for a while."

  “I see, but what about the others?" Ning added, looking toward the ladies of the night but also the merchants.

  “Being a hunter is stressful as it is, but it also pays well, which can’t help but make certain businesses boom,” Marquez shrugged.

  Ning Shan nodded, but something that Marquez had said struck him.

  “I assume the Guild you mentioned is the Hunter's Guild?"

  “Oh, I didn't think you were aware," he replied, slightly mockingly, yet Ning Shan didn't care.

  “I know of a similar organization, so it's unsurprising. Instead, I'm more interested in the Shaft you mentioned."

  “One thing at a time, you'll know soon enough," Marquez replied with a sly smile. "But first, let's get you out of those rags."

  Following Marquez's lead, the group entered a shop facing the plaza. Inside, there was everything one could expect regarding clothing: from the latest fashion to the more utilitarian style of military vestment. Ning Shan chose something in between, allowing ease of movement yet accenting his own elegant features.

  He chose dark cargo pants, allowing multiple functional pockets and a belt to attach his weapon to. He also chose some thick-soled black leather boots, allowing for good traction in even the worst environments. Surprisingly, the clerk mentioned they were also equipped with a personal force field that, once activated, allowed for easy cleaning as they repelled any traces of dirt almost instantly, leaving them spotless after use.

  For his upper body, he chose a simple V-neck shirt that clung to his skin yet was stretchy enough to allow all manners of movement and a black leather vest on top. While he had seen all manners of colours back on the streets, he opted for the simplicity of a black outfit, if only for camouflage. After all, in a world of complete darkness, black was the easiest colour to blend into the night.

  As Ning Shan didn’t have the means to pay yet, Marquez was the one to do so. Once at the terminal, he pressed his hand onto the screen, prompting a bar of green light to rise and fall, scanning the palm before the message of a successful purchase was displayed.

  “Nice to see you out of those dirty clothes,” Sera said, her head hidden within the hood of her jacket, only her red eyes shining through.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Ning Shan, too, was relieved, yet the gazes in his direction hadn't stopped but only changed their meanings. Despite the simplicity of his clothes, he couldn't help but attract the female gaze, especially those of the working kind. It was no surprise, as Ning Shan felt more refined and elegant than the rough and scarred hunters that filled the streets.

  He had something that most lacked: a light of ambition in his eyes. In fact, as he looked around, all he could see was the hopelessness of a crushing reality or the obliviousness of people who denied their fates and chose to live in the moment, killing themselves slowly until nothing remained. It felt to him like a rotting society too absorbed in its own vices to strive for something more.

  How can they not feel this way in a world devoid of light when all they have ever known was darkness? Unlike the upper levels where the Pillar shone, its light can only barely reach this depth. It's as if it's always ahead, taunting them. They probably were crushed by its allure a long time ago...

  He raised his head, watching as only the dim, leftover light of the Pillar that hovered in the sky reached his eyes, barely illuminating the darkness around him. If not for nearby street lamps' scarce, artificial light, the world around him would only be basked into obscurity. Still, there was one thing that came to mind.

  “How deep are we?” he asked.

  “Who knows?” Marquez shrugged, unconcerned by Ning Shan’s sudden curiosity.

  "Hard to say," Sera added. "The government never released precise measurements, but since the highest floor is the 25th level and we are on the ninth, and considering you can barely see the level overhead unless you use something to enhance your vision, I’d say we are a couple kilometres deep.”

  “And, how far does it go?” Ning Shan said, unable to hide his surprise.

  "I doubt we're at the halfway point, as no one ever truly mapped it out," she replied. "Rarely do we see anyone crawl back up from the depths, especially those sent to the first level."

  “I remember some years ago the government sent a team of hunters to try and map it out, but they never came back,” Steven said, reminiscing. “Shame as those people were good hunters.”

  “Is it a penal colony of sorts?” Ning Shan asked as a frown crept on his face.

  “Just a rubbish bin where the government throws its waste,” Steven replied. “Good riddance, I say. Nothing good ever came out of the depths.”

  Somehow, the man glanced toward Sera, which couldn't help but make her lower her head further, hiding deeper with her hood. While Ning Shan had many questions, he knew better than to ask. They could wait until later.

  With their trip to the clothing store over with, the group strolled the streets until they arrived at a massive gate on the opposite wall of the crater. From the number of steps, Ning Shan estimated the hole to be a few kilometres in diameter. He could see some large cables attached to the rock walls supporting the weight of the pavement below their feet, yet those alone wouldn't be enough to support the entire level. Something else was at play, yet he couldn't put his finger on it. For now, it remained a mystery.

  “What’s that?” he asked, facing the giant metal door carved straight into the rock wall.

  “One of the entrances to the Shaft,” Marquez said. “I figured I should show you the way since this will be your new workplace until further notice.”

  “I thought I would be working for Mr. Baxter?”

  “All in due time,” he replied. “While Mr. Baxter is interested in what you have to offer, he still needs you to prove your worth. Only then will he take time out of his busy schedule to entertain you. Don’t forget you already cost him enough by destroying his investment.”

  “Fair enough,” Ning Shan replied, unconcerned. In fact, he was in no hurry to meet this famed Charles Baxter. The more time he had to grow his strength, the better his negotiation position would be. “So, am I to assume I’ll be working as a hunter?”

  “Quite perceptive of you,” Steven interjected. “What else are you good for, if not your ability to kill?”

  “I have many hobbies,” Ning Shan answered back, not bothering to entertain him further as he turned to face Marquez. “So, what’s in this shaft exactly?”

  "A labyrinth," he replied. "At least, that's what people of the past called it. We prefer the Shaft as it is more literal. It's basically an artificial hole that reaches deep into the earth. The gate you see before you act more like a portal than a mere gate, allowing you to be transported within the Shaft. As for how it works, don't ask me, as I have no clue."

  “That doesn’t explain much...” Ning Shan lamented.

  "From what I heard more veteran hunters say, the Shaft exists in a separate dimension where the rules are somewhat different," Sera added. "The walls are made of an unknown material, harder than anything we can manufacture, making it impossible to break them. They are also separated into levels, allowing the hunters to descend further the more they explore. Also, it should be expected, but the creatures within also grow stronger the deeper you delve."

  "There should be something valuable within if people are willing to risk their lives."

  "Indeed, but it's nothing you haven't seen before. Still, the Cradle desperately needs it, making it a most valuable commodity."

  Ning Shan remained silent, mulling over what he had learned. While he still had many questions, this was enough for now. Ever since he came to this world, he had always been on edge, with little time to get his bearings. He needed a calm place to rest, as he hadn't meditated since the time he had faced the tribulation. While he doubted it would do much good in his current situation, centuries of repetition ingrained this habit into his bones. Not doing so for a long time left him somewhat anxious and edgy.

  “Anyway, you'll have all the time in the world to explore this later," Marquez said. "For now, let me show you your new accommodations, courtesy of Mr. Baxter. While you may not be worth much at present, he still has high hopes for you."

  Indeed, he did, as the dwelling he had been granted was more than he expected. This was a two-bedroom, all-furnished apartment right in front of the Hunter's Guild Branch Office and a few minutes from the Shaft's entrance. He had everything he needed to start a promising life in this new world.

  As he had expected, the two men soon went their separate ways, as they had their own worries to take care of. Still, this suited Ning Shan just fine as he was more of a lone wolf, and having to deal with people holding a grudge was a hassle he didn't need. Only Sera remained, nervously looking at him while he explored his new residence.

  "Do you not have any place to go?" he asked, looking back at her, only to see her lower her head even more.

  “The boss did have a place we used as a home base, but you killed them all...”

  Ning Shan remained silent, a nervous lull hanging in the atmosphere, only for him to sigh soon after.

  “This place is big enough for two. Make yourself at home,” he said reluctantly. “Besides, I may yet have things for you to do. You better prepare yourself.”

  She swiftly raised her head, showing a bright smile before rushing toward one of the open bedrooms and then letting herself fall on the soft bed. Ning Shan couldn't help but shake his head before pinching the bridge of his nose in disbelief.

  Did I just get myself a partner or a dog...